Improvement in clasps for elastic bands



J. C. ARMS.

Improvement in Clasps for Elastic Bands.

No. 132,230. Patented 0Cr.15,1872.

- .Z 1 W7/fag @3W/Af 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES ARMS, OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLASPS FOR ELASTlC BANDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N o. 132,230, dated October 15, 1872.

Y to the accompanying drawing.

My invention consists in a novel manner of constructing a metal clasp for uniting the ends of elastic bands, such as are used on diaries and pocket-books, and for garters.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my clasp applied to a band; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section of my clasp attached to a pocket-bock; Fig. 3, a transverse section of the same; Fig. 4, a perspective view of the toothed plate or body of the clasp; and Fig. 5, a longitudinal section of a modified form of the clasp.

In constructing my device, I punch out of sheet metal a fiat rectangular plate, A, and provide the same across each end with a row of teeth, a, formed by punching the metal up through, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4I In order that the teeth may take a firm hold, I make them of a pointed form and incline them inward toward the middle of the plate, as shown. In the middle of the plate, I punch up two arms or studs, c, which serve as guides, so that in applying the bands its ends may be readily set at the middle. If the clasp is to be secured to a diary or other object, I pro-v,"

vide the plate on its ends with lips j, which may be inserted through the outside or covering of the object, and clinched down on the inside of the same, as in Figs. 2 and 3, so as to hold the plate thereto. Having thus provided the toothed plate, I next provide a slide, B, consisting of a plate having its two opposite sides or edges, t', turned under, as shown, so that it may be shoved endwise over the plate A, with its lips t' engaging under the edges of the plate, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to hold the two together.

In applying the clasp, I hook the ends of the bands upon the respective rows of hooks, and then apply the slide, as shown, so as to hold the ends of the band down securely on the hooks, and to give the clasp a nished appearance by concealing the hooks and the ends of the band from sight. W'hen it becomes necessary to shorten the band, or to detach one of the\ends for any other purpose, it isonly necessary to push the slide back far enough to uncover the one end so that it may be unhooked. After the end has been properly trimmed, it is again hooked in place and the slide pushed back over it. When the slide is in position, the pressure of the elastic band causes sufficient friction to hold it lirmly in place, and prevent it from being accidentally displaced. The middle studs or arms c, in additionto serving as guides or stops, as before mentioned, also bear against the under side of the slide so as lto prevent it from tipping up, when it is pushed back to release one end, so as to release the other. When the clasp is designed for attachment to garters or similar articles, which do not require it to be fastened in place, the lips j may be dispensed with. The construction of the plate and the arrangement of the slide or covering may of course be changed in some respects without departing from the limit of my invention. Instead of forming' the teeth by 4punching the metal up through, the ends of the plate may be notched or serrated, and the points formed thereby turned over on top of the plate, as in Fig. 5, to form the teeth; and instead of providing the plate with the ears j, to hold it in place, it may be provided with a central hole to receive an eyelet or rivet for the purpose, as shown in Fig. l. The cover or slide B may of course be hinged or pivoted to the body or plate instead of being arranged to slide thereon, it being immaterial in What manner it is held in place, provided it holds the ends of the band down on the hooks.

The clasp constructed on my plan consists, it will be seen, of but two pieces of sheet metal, which may be punched out by machinery with great rapidity, and at a cost of a mere trifle. It is strong, neat, and ornamental in appearance, easily attached, and quickly and readily adjusted, and having the inclined pointed teeth, it takes a firmer and betterhold on the elastic than any heretofore made. Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- A clasp for uniting elastic or other bands,

Vconsisting of a plate, A, provided With teeth for engaging in the band, and a plate, B, arranged to slide over the same and lock the parts together, substantially as described.

JAMES C; ARMS.

Witnesses: W. P. ABERNETHY, WM. G. MOINTYRE. 

